Partick V Dumbarton at Firhill Stadium : Match Preview

08 March 2013 11:31

Partick are without midfielder Paul Paton due to an ankle knock as they host Dumbarton looking for home win number 13 of the season.

The Jags have Hugh Murray available after suspension and the former St Mirren man looks set for a starting berth in Paton's absence, with interim player-manager Alan Archibald again restricting himself to a substitute role.

Archibald said: "We have been strong at home all season and we want to keep that going.

"We defeated Dumbarton 3-0 earlier in the season but Ian Murray has transformed them, as we know to our cost, as they won the last game 2-0.

"We will be out to make amends but they have good players and have a lot of confidence about them so this will be tough."

Dumbarton defender Andy Graham has had the cast removed from his broken wrist and is in the squad.

However, a four-week absence from playing means he may start on the bench.

Everyone else is available to Sons boss Murray, who again includes former Scotland international Robbie Winters as a trialist.

Murray said: "The pressure for results at both ends of the table is cranking up and we have to show that we can handle that.

"Thistle will see this as an opportunity to go top of the league if Morton slip up so we will have to stand tall.

"They have a strong record at Firhill but we have beaten them this season and we can use that for inspiration."